Chapter 6

Chapter 6 of Raíces: The Making of Latino Legacies in Racing paints the portrait of an established presence of Latinos in American horse racing, exemplified through jockeys, trainers, and breeders who mold the sport. This chapter includes Chilean Hall of Fame jockey José Santos, who conquered the country’s most demanding tracks and rekindled the public’s passion for the Triple Crown aboard Funny Cide; Brazilian-born Alberto Figueiredo, a key figure in integrating South American, European, and North American bloodlines through breeding and genetics; Panamanian jockey Alex Solis, whose career built on discipline and respect for the craft resulted in more than 5,000 career wins; one of the winningest jockeys in modern American history racing and partner to the unforgettable Barbaro, Peruvian Edgar Prado; Brazilian trainer Paulo Lobo, who brought South American-bred horses to victory in the U.S. and strengthened the connection between the North American market and Southern Hemisphere breeding programs; and Puerto Rican jockey John Velázquez, one of the most successful jockeys and industry ambassadors of the modern era.